Thoracic embolotherapy for life-threatening haemoptysis: a pulmonologist's perspective.

Haemoptysis is the expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract and is life-threatening when blood obstructs the major airway causing asphyxiation. This may occur in the presence or absence of pre-existing compromised pulmonary reserve and medical comorbidities. Life-threatening haemoptysis is a relatively common clinical situation encountered by pulmonologists and thoracic embolotherapy is a key therapeutic option. Although thoracic embolotherapy primarily involves bronchial arterial embolization, it also encompasses embolization of non-bronchial systemic arteries and the pulmonary arterial supply. A pulmonologist's perspective on this topic is presented. Pertinent areas related to this theme, namely surgery and the role of bronchoscopy in life-threatening haemoptysis are discussed briefly.